Keys to the Game: Chargers vs. Texans

Summary of 38 articles · Updated Sep 11, 2013

Here are five keys to the game heading into Monday night’s primetime season opener between the San Diego Chargers and the Houston Texans: 1. The Texans begin the season on Monday Night Football against the host Chargers. The quarter ended with the Charger… (more)s driving from their own 20 to midfield. Photo Gallery: Texans vs. The wrongly thrown flag took a Texans field goal off the board and set the Texans up for a touchdown on the next play, meaning it essentially gave the Texans an extra four points in a game they won 31-28. Observed in the locker room after the Texans beat the Chargers 31-28...: Off in an auxiliary locker room for visitors that included specialists and some undrafted rookies, punter Shane Lechler mused about what a cool feeling this was for him. There was Malcolm Floyd’s 47-yard reception in the third quarter, which marked the first time San Diego went deep all game – and when you consider that the Bolts had three first-half calls overturned in their favor it seemed as though nothing could go wrong. Then everything went wrong.

Scouting Report: Chargers vs. Eagles

Officials hurt Chargers in opening loss

So it turns out the San Diego Chargers' latest stunning collapse is not all on them. Well, that’s comforting. The NFL admitted that it made a mistake that directly cost the Chargers four points in Monday’s 31-28 home loss to Houston. The Chargers, famou…

NFL admits crucial late call against Chargers was made in error

Despite a litany of calls that went against the Texans Monday, perhaps the most important call of the night went in their favor. On a fourth-quarter field-goal attempt, Chargers defensive lineman Cam Thomas was flagged for a unnecessary roughness foul o…

NFL says penalty on Chargers for hitting Texans’ snapper was wrong

The Texans’ come-from-behind victory over the Chargers on Monday night was aided by a bad call. NFL V.P. of Officiating Dean Blandino admitted on NFL Network that Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas, who was called for an illegal hit on Texans long sna…

Texans appreciative of fans who made trip to San Diego

The large contingent of Texans fans at Qualcomm Stadium made the players and coaches feel as if they were playing at Reliant Stadium during their rally from the 28-7 deficit to the 31-28 victory on Monday night. Texans fans celebrated long after the gam…

Upon Further Review: Chargers Week 1

An examination of four hot issues from the San Diego Chargers' 31-28 loss to the Houston Texans: Another collapse: Norv Turner is no longer the Chargers’ coach, but a similar thing happened. The Chargers blew a huge lead again in the first game of the M…

Upon Further Review: Texans Week 1

A review of four hot issues from the Houston Texans' 31-28 win over the San Diego Chargers: Mental toughness: Just how sure were the Texans that they were going to win last night's game? Midway through the third quarter, safety Danieal Manning and insid…

Locker Room Buzz: Houston Texans

Observed in the locker room after the Texans beat the Chargers 31-28: New feeling for a vet: Off in an auxiliary locker room for visitors that included specialists and some undrafted rookies, punter Shane Lechler mused about what a cool feeling this was…

Texans’ leaders save team from huge disappointment against Chargers

A lot of players were responsible for the Texans’ amazing come-from-behind victory over the Texans. Tight end Owen Daniels caught five passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns. “This is what we needed,” Daniels said about the 31-28 victory. “A lot of team…

Locker Room Buzz: San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO -- Observed in the locker room after the San Diego Chargers' 31-28 loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night: Predictably, this was not a cheery place. It was very quiet. Few players talked among themselves. The Chargers were polite with medi…

Rapid Reaction: Texans 31, Chargers 28

SAN DIEGO -- A look at another jaw-dropping come-from-ahead loss for the San Diego Chargers -- this time 31-28 to the Houston Texans -- as the Chargers begin a new era: What it means for San Diego: The Chargers are well, the Chargers. Unreal. And it’s n…

Texans rally from 21 points down to beat Chargers

The last time the San Diego Chargers appeared on Monday night football they watched as Peyton Manning led the Denver Broncos from 24 points down in the second half to stun the Chargers in a 34-24 defeat last October. In their season opener against the H…

Rapid Reaction: Texans 31, Chargers 28

SAN DIEGO -- Some thoughts from the Houston Texans' 31-28 comeback victory Monday night over the San Diego Chargers: What it means: The Texans showed a Monday night audience (at least those who stayed awake that late) their flaws and strengths all on on…

Texans rally for 31-28 victory over Chargers in season opener

SAN DIEGO – For almost three quarters, the Texans snoozed their way to deficits of 21-7 and 28-14 at Qualcomm Stadium, but somebody provided some smelling salts at just the right time, and they awakened to produce a magnificent 31-28 victory over the Sa…

Chargers Let First Half Lead Slip, Lose to Texans 31-28

Philip Rivers tosses three first half TDs as Chargers lead Texans

Philip Rivers threw three first half touchdown passes as the San Diego Chargers took a 21-7 lead into halftime over the Houston Texans on Monday night. Rivers completed 8 of 14 passes for 112 yards in the first half and looked comfortable and poised in …

Texans answer after Chargers jump out to quick lead

Before the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins were even finished with the first game of the season-opening Monday night doubleheader, the San Diego Chargers quickly jumped out to an early lead over the Houston Texans. Matt Schaub was intercepte…

LIVE: Houston Texans vs. San Diego Chargers

MNF live blog: Texans at Chargers

Join our ESPN.com NFL experts for the second half of "Monday Night Football" as the Houston Texans visit the San Diego Chargers. Contribute your thoughts and questions beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET. See you there.

Five Lessons From the Texans Game

Grades for the Texans performance against the Chargers

Overall – B Truth to tell, they deserve an F- for the first half and an A+ for the second half with arguably their greatest comeback ever, when you factor in the stakes this season, never mind that they were on the road and playing a pretty good team wi…

Ghost of Norv? San Diego Chargers blow 21-point second-half lead at home to Houston Texans

The first three quarters looked like the dawn of a new day for the San Diego Chargers. The second half brought back a darkness, all too strangely familiar to the locals.In new head coach Mike McCoy's debut, the Chargers blew a 21-point lead in the final…

Texans have nightmare start to 2013 season

The Texans had the worst start imaginable to the 2013 season. After Keyshawn Martin returned the opening kickoff only to the 15-yard line, Matt Schaub was intercepted on the Texans’ first play from scrimmage on the season. San Diego defensive lineman Ja…

Chargers odds and ends

San Diego Chargers' notes as they prepare to open the season Monday night with a home date against the Houston Texans: As expected, rookie linebacker Manti Te'o was ruled out for the game because of a foot injury he suffered in the preseason opener Aug.…